Gary Rowett gives verdict as Millwall already match their entire points total for the 2018-19 season

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Millwall’s 2-0 win over Reading on Saturday saw them match their points total for the whole of last season – but Gary Rowett is not going overboard at the progression made.

The Lions battled against Championship relegation in the 2018-19 campaign, only crawling over the safety line with a couple of fixtures to go.

Millwall are seventh in the table this time around. And since Rowett was appointed as Neil Harris’ successor at The Den only West Brom (one) have lost fewer matches.

Rowett has only been beaten twice since taking on the Millwall job – at Reading and home to Barnsley.

Millwall have lost six games this season – the same as Leeds and Forest. Again only the Baggies (two) can boast fewer.

Asked about moving on to 44 points for the campaign – the same as they managed over 46 games last season, Rowett said: “Someone mentioned that to me at the weekend. I didn’t want to make too big a deal about it. I didn’t want to be disrespectful about last season – because every season is different. Every season has its own challenges, injuries and what not.

“It’s a nice little tally to reach because that’s the sort of total that is not far off keeping you up. To reach that already at such an early part of the season is quite good.

“It shows the form the players are in and shows how consistent that form has been.

“Every game I’m thinking can we go again? Have we go enough to go again with that hunger every week? The players keep performing and it is a massive, massive credit to them for that.

“The fact we haven’t conceded massive amounts of goals and lost lots of games gives you a good platform.

“If you have got the defensive balance right then it’s about seeing if you can be a little freer and fluid. The aim at any club is to have a real good balance of defence and attack.

“The problem with any good run of form and any good momentum is that it doesn’t take much to stop momentum.

“We’re in a good place in terms of performances and results but I don’t think anyone is blasé enough to think it just keeps rolling forward. We’ve got to work incredibly hard.”